Sharkbitten photographer files suit

Head of diving company accused of negligence due to drinking

On June 13, Elke Specker was photographing sharks in navigable waters off San Diego. A suit she filed in federal court this month states that she hired Michael Kazma and Mako Shark Diving LLC to guide her.

She notes that Kazma says in advertising that his shark trips are safe. But, she claims, he was imbibing alcohol that day. When he chummed the sharks and later fed them from his hand, he was negligent because of his drinking, causing her to receive severe shark bites as well as emotional distress, she alleges.

I asked her attorney if she saw him drinking, and he would not comment. I could not reach Kazma or Mako but will note their defense if they contact me.

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RESPONSE BY MICHAEL KAZMA. Kazma says Elke Specker's acccusations are false. Statements given by other guests and video footage show that Kazma was not intoxicated, he says. Specker did not follow instructions, according to Kazma. She positioned herself in a "no go zone," he says, and positioned herself directly in front of a shark. He tried to protect her, Kazma says. Best, Don Bauder